Barbaro Updates: 893
updates are now here.
Update 5277: Nicanor was back on the work tab today as he prepares for the Virginia Derby: Nicanor Works; Backing Off on Lentenor.
Update 5276: I have just returned from OLEX. I wanted to illustrate kill buyer "buyer behavior" by highlighting two horses that were sold today at OLEX. This thoroughbred mare went for 31 cents / pound. She was in good weight and condition. She went to kill. Her price was bid up to 31 cents because there were underbidders who wanted the horse for something other than slaughter. Second example: an emaciated horse went for 15 cents / pound. Not for kill, purchased by a rescue. The kill buyer was much less interested and clearly opted out below 15 cents / pound.
To me this illustrates, very clearly, the type of horse preferred by kill buyers, at least here at OLEX. And so as not to demonize the kill buyer, he did point out to the auctioneer another bidder on the horse in the picture that he eventually bought.
Update 5275: Off to OLEX. Will tweet and twitpic.
Update 5274: From John Asher at Churchill Downs:
KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER MINE THAT BIRD SHARP IN CHURCHILL DOWNS WORK
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 7, 2009) - Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Serte Thoroughbreds' Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), tuned up for a return to competition with a sharp four-furlong work on Tuesday at Churchill Downs.
Jockey Jamie Theriot was aboard the gelded son of Birdstone as he covered the half-mile over a "fast" track in :49.40.
Mine That Bird started slowly, but finished fast as he covered the distance in fractional times of :13.20, :25.60 and :38 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80. The clocking reflects a final eight in 11:40 and he galloped out the extra furlong in :12.40.
"He did it very easy," said Theriot. "He came off the track bouncing."
"The horse looked perfect - he did just what I asked," said trainer Chip Woolley. "Jamie did a good job on him. He started off a little slow and picked it up all the way. It looked like he got the last eighth in :11-and-two and he was :12-and-two past the wire in another eighth, so he looked sharp. That was what we were looking for."
Mine That Bird is training toward a run in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (Grade II) at Mountaineer on Aug. 1. That race would be his first since a third-place run behind Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes (GI) on June 6.
The Kentucky Derby winner is scheduled to work again on Monday, July 13 and could remain in his familiar surroundings at Churchill Downs until just before race day at the West Virginia track.
"I haven't decided for sure if I'll take him and work him one time at Mountaineer right before the race or just stay here and go into the race from here," Woolley said. "Either way, the horse is doing good and is ready to roll."
A Triple Crown run that included his win in the Kentucky Derby, a runner-up finish to Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness (GI) and his third-place run in the Belmont Stakes left Mine That Bird's record at 5-2-1 in 11 races with earnings of $2,121,581.
Update 5273: My weekly contribution for Eclipse Magazine (UK): Alex Brown 7 July 2009.
Update 5272: An easy morning this morning for Steve at Woodbine. I had six to gallop. It was five, and then one was added. All galloped nicely. The weather was remarkably chilly for this time of year. Almost fall-like.
And to continue our Woodbine Characters series we have:
Tony Phillips, exercise rider and jockey. Tony Phillips gallops horses in the mornings at Woodbine, and is also a jockey. Most of his racing success these days is at Ajax, where he is currently the leading quarter horse jockey. Tony won the first Graded Stakes race for quarter horses in Ontario last fall. A cool guy, Tony is originally from England and is a Totenham Hotspurs fan.
Tom Patton, agent Jono Jones. Tom Patton is the agent for Jono Jones. He used to be agent for Patrick Husbands. He sits on the Chaplaincy Council and is currently helping organize a forthcoming golf tournament. Tom also helped organize a Texas hold'em Poker tournament to raise funds for Nikki Umiker, an injured exercise rider. All around a good and involved guy.
Update 5271: Here is the weekly ABR Facebook Group e-mail: Tweet this: Salon, OLEX, La Ville Rouge, Canada Day, Terry Jordan, Catherine O'Brien, Rob Landry, Mine That Bird, TCA, Chantal Sutherland, Rachel Alexandra, Beyond The Homestretch, LOPE, Sea The Stars, Warrior's Reward, Barbaro Memorial, Classless Gamblers, Salty Langfuhn, Chantal Sutherland, Jockeys, Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird.
And please keep calling and consider attending Horses on the Hill on July 14.
Hiya, FsOB1 Running late & it's back to work today. Wishing everyone a safe & productive Tuesday. So nice to see Laurie H. & Mary S. back with us yesterday on behalf of Sandra.
Alex, any updates re. Ernie Paragallo?
#### To Sandra: Reaching out across the miles to you today. ####
Posted by: Robyn Hoffmann at July 7, 2009 11:58 AM